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Upgrade from E88 to E93?

1111 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by waldorf, 9 mo ago

waldorf

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago

I pretty much like my E88, but the 4 pot engine is wat I don’t like. A 125i is hard to find, or are overpriced, so I am looking for an E93 325i or 330i. This model has the N52 engine so on paper a good choice.
It is not as nimble as the one series, but still a decent driver and much better handling than most other cars in this range. A little bit more comfort is also welcome while the age is increasing, lol.
I also like the metal folding roof, as it is more quiet on the motorway compared to the fabric roof of my E88.
The cons are: most offered models are automatic, I prefer a manual. And, road tax will be higher because of the higher weight.
I did a testdrive once with a Z4 E89, fantastic car, but too small for me. All 2 seaters I tried are too small. I also did a testdrive with a volvo C70 (with metal folding roof), this is just a family cruiser which happened to be a convertible.
So my options are more or less limited to the E93, any sensible advise on this?

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Nyxeris

· #2 · 10 mo ago

Watch out for the N53 engine, it came to the E9x with the 2007 LCI in most of Europe. All the fuel system issues of the N54 with none of the boost to make it worthwhile. Doesn't sound as nice either thanks to the direct injection.

Have you considered the E64 630ci? N52, high standard spec, bigger than the E93 but lighter because of the fabric roof. Looks a bit goofy, but I quite like them.

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waldorf

Discussion Starter · #3 · 10 mo ago

By “watch out for the N53” you mean “avoid it”? Or keep your eyes open for a decent one?
The 630i was also on my list, but looks indeed aged, and I don’t know how good the sound insulation of the roof is, never driven one. I do know that the 645 is on the Avoid! list.

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Nyxeris

· #4 · 10 mo ago

waldorf said:
By “watch out for the N53” you mean “avoid it”? Or keep your eyes open for a decent one?

Avoid it. Common issues to keep an eye on with the N53:

HPFP: £300
Injectors: £1,800
Coil packs: £250
NOx sensor: £300
Carbon buildup: £300 for walnut blasting to clean it out

All of that apart from the walnut blast is excluding labour.

Plus BMW didn't bother fixing a single one of the N52s weaknesses, so everything that can go wrong with the N52 can go wrong with the N53 as well.

In exchange you get something like 10bph and 5mpg over the N52, and it sounds like a tractor.

Bum deal

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CalvinNismo

· #5 · 10 mo ago (Edited)

I’d wait for a nice enough 125i! MissNismo now has a manual 2010 E88 125i SE instead of the R59 Mini and it’s a lovely car. I had forgotten how crisp the N52 is (though it wants for that remap). Pickings are slim though I’d agree. We weren’t too picky regarding spec’ and I will make it much better in the future.

As Nyxeris says, the N53 are the go to engine in the bigger cars for ‘efficiency’ benefits. Not worth going for if you can get an N52 instead in my opinion. Port injection on the N52 makes everything simpler, so it’s just the usual (classic) BMW fluid leaks you have to deal with along with the other couple of N52 niggles. Ours has been fine now for 4,000 miles. The 3-Series roof I imagine will be a lot more expensive to fix if stuff goes wrong I imagine.

Edit: Grammar.

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waldorf

Discussion Starter · #6 · 10 mo ago

The E88 125i is indeed a very nice car! But still a car with a fabric roof, with more noise. All roofs have a design flaw, after some time a hole appears on both side just behind the rear window. When the roof is being opened, the material gets stuck between the mechanism and over time makes a hole. So when you buy an older one, keep in mind that a €1500 cost for replacement is coming. I went to a convertible specialist and they glued a patch on the inside, so it will take longer to have a hole there, but it is already an ugly spot.

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waldorf

Discussion Starter · #7 · 10 mo ago

Tested this 325i, 2007, one owner, 220000 km, almost complete sh, ps3 front and ps4 rear, €13000.
The ride was ok, but the engine turned out to be an N53, you barely hear it’s a 6 pot, on idle sounds like a bad diesel. Wasn’t appealing at all. On the motorway is was nice and quiet.
After some more research it looks like almost all 325i and 330i have an N53, so maybe I need to consider a 125i, although it also has a fabric roof. After a nice trip last night along the rivers on the twisties, my own car really has a nicer steering feel. So I am confused now.....

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BertieW125

· #8 · 9 mo ago

waldorf said:
I pretty much like my E88, but the 4 pot engine is wat I don’t like. A 125i is hard to find, or are overpriced, so I am looking for an E93 325i or 330i. This model has the N52 engine so on paper a good choice.
It is not as nimble as the one series, but still a decent driver and much better handling than most other cars in this range. A little bit more comfort is also welcome while the age is increasing, lol.
I also like the metal folding roof, as it is more quiet on the motorway compared to the fabric roof of my E88.
The cons are: most offered models are automatic, I prefer a manual. And, road tax will be higher because of the higher weight.
I did a testdrive once with a Z4 E89, fantastic car, but too small for me. All 2 seaters I tried are too small. I also did a testdrive with a volvo C70 (with metal folding roof), this is just a family cruiser which happened to be a convertible.
So my options are more or less limited to the E93, any sensible advise on this?

I really like the 125 but I’m biased as I own one! My roof appears to be fine in terms of the hole you mentioned (that’s the first I’ve heard of it so I’ll look out now). It’s pretty quiet on motorways, never bothered me although there are a few minor rattles on bumpy roads and the roof strings make a few guitar string noises as well! All part of the character

and if you get tired of the roof noises just rev the engine up, it sounds great

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waldorf

Discussion Starter · #9 · 9 mo ago

I checked it by slowly opening the roof. It happens during the first part of opening. When the rear side - with the glass window - goes up, the fabric gets in between the mechanism and gets damaged.

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